TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health has issued a rabies alert in Hillsborough County.
In a news release, the agency said it issued the alert after a confirmed case was found in a cat from the Lake Magdalene area off Bearss Road. The cat was killed on Oct. 3, 2024, officials said.
"DOH-Hillsborough is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area," officials stated in the release. "All residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population."
The rabies alert will be implemented for 60 days and will include the following boundaries in Hillsborough County, according to officials:
- Northern boundary: Lake Magdalene Boulevard
- Southern boundary: Lakewood Ave/Cherrywood Avenue
- Eastern boundary: North Boulevard
- Western boundary: Lake Magdalene Boulevard
Residents in Hillsborough County should follow these steps to prevent rabies exposure:
- Avoid contact with wild or stray animals.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or
other sources of food. - If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Hillsborough by calling (813) 307-8010 or (850) 245-4401.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
- Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Hillsborough County Animal Services at (813) 744-5660.
- Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.
For more information, residents can visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or call DOH-Hillsborough at (813) 307-8010 or (850) 245-4401
